Florida Prison Inmates Face New Consequences

We have all heard of inmates smuggling illegal items into the jail, but did you know the felony laws against having contraband only applied to county jails? That has now changed, according to WCTV Eyewitness News, and Florida prison inmates caught with cell phones could be charged with a second or third degree felony. Florida prison officials say they have had inmates use cell phones to call their victims, plan escapes, and organize criminal enterprises on the outside.

Here in Jacksonville, there is a Florida law on contraband that applies to our jail. Jacksonville inmates cannot introduce or possess anything not given to them by jail officials. This includes:

1. Written or Recorded Communication
2. Currency or Coin
3. Food or Clothing
4. All Tobacco Products
5. All Intoxicating Beverages or Drugs
6. All Firearms or Dangerous Weapons
7. Any Instrument intended to be used to escape.

If a Jacksonville inmate is is found with any of these items, he or she can be charged with a third degree felony.